Yakushimanum rhododendrons were first discovered in early 1900’s on a small island off southern coasts of Japan called Yaku. They grew happily on rocky slopes of this mountainous island in full sun, and were constantly disturbed by wind. Their habit was compact and not very tall. All these features seemed very promising and deserved better examination. The first plants were sent to the UK by a Japanese grower Koichiro Wada in 1934, which set off a long programme of hybridizing brand new, fantastic plants.

Do you like warm colours on rhododendrons? Well, hear this Lullaby, or rather look at its beautiful flowers. They are bell-shaped, rich salmon pink near margins and golden yellow in the throat, opening from salmon orange buds in May. Evergrenn leaves are shortly ovate, leathery, partly glossy, and have a nice and soft shade of rich green. Lullaby forms a compact shrub of about the same height and width.

Tests proved that deadheading of these hybrids does not influence formation of flower buds for the following season. However, as these plants are slow growers and make short new branches, deadheading significantly improves their appearance since the new shoots cannot cover the unsightly dry seed-pods that followed the flowers.

Yakushimanum rhododendrons grow slowly, forming compact mounds. Their mature leaves usually have indumentum of various colours on the undersides. They thrive in full sun and partial shade, they can take full shade, too, but is not ideal. The soil has to be reasonably fertile, well-drained, cool, constantly moist, and of low pH (6 or less) = acidic. They do not require nitrogen but need iron and phosphorus. Their roots spread outwards and are very shallow, therefore never plant them too deep. When planting mix good, lime-free compost with quality peat or leaf mould, and add some slow-release fertilizer. To conserve moisture and to suppress weeds keep them mulched all year round. The layer of mulch should not be too high so that their delicate roots can breathe. No pruning required. Anilin proved hardy to -27°C (USDA zone 5b), and is expected to withstand a few degrees lower.

Last update 26-01-2017

SIZES and PRICES

CURRENTLY SOLD OUT

NOT IN STOCK? WHY NOT TO TRY A SIMILAR ONE:

GLOSSARY

STANDARD QUALITY - Plants of this group are 1st class quality with number of branches and overall density adequate to their size and age, considering they were container grown.

DE LUXE QUALITY - This label guarantees a luxurious quality of manually selected plants that, compared to their height and age, are exceptionally dense and beautiful.

EXTRA - These plants are usually mature and bigger specimens with exceptional overall appearance.

STANDARD (as described in the plant form) means a tree with a trunk of 190-210 cm and a crown at the top, unless specified differently. The commercial size for trees is their girth measured in the height of 1m from ground.

HOBBY - These plants are of the same quality as our standard-quality plants but younger and therefore cheaper.

SHRUB - a woody plant with branches growing bushy from the ground level.

HALF-STANDARD or MINI-STANDARD - a small tree with shorter trunk, its size is usually specified.

FEATHERED - These are trees with branches growing already from the base of the trunk and up along the stem.

GRASSES and PERENNIALS - Sizes given usually read the diameter of the pot or the clump, as specified.